Frost & Sullivan research reveals that arc flash PPE sales, although growing, are still below potential due to below-optimal compliance rates, lack of strict regulatory oversight, and laborious risk hazard assessments. Arc flash personal protective equipment provides an effective protective barrier against burns, shrapnel, blast pressure, blinding light, hearing loss due to high decibel levels, and lung damage. Human error is cited as one of the most important factors causing arc flash injuries. The use of specialized protective arc flash PPE addresses the problem at its roots—workers are likely to be more safety-conscious when operating with specially designed protective equipment.

The arc flash market in Europe is expected to unfold over time and uncover significant untapped potential. Technical committees under CENELEC CLC TC 78 are working on more robust methods for calculating incident arc energy. While these efforts are likely to take a number of years to have an impact on the adoption rates of arc flash PPE, there is likely to be a critical window of opportunity for manufacturers to bring to the market new arc flash PPE once the standards are released.

The United States continues to lead the global arc flash PPE market. More recently, it has focused on a more quantified approach to addressing the issues of electric arc flash hazards. The NFPA 70E standard is expected to encourage adoption among the previously non-compliant end users, as the process of identifying risk hazards has been made simpler and also more accurate.

Frost & Sullivan research also reveals that the degree of competition in the arc flash PPE market is low, with the potential for other players to enter this space. A higher degree of competition is likely to drive innovation in the arc flash PPE segment. At present, innovations are limited to a few product segments—arc flash gloves, arc flash head and face protection, and protective clothing.

Positive spill-over effects from revisions to the regulatory standards in Europe and Asia are expected to be critical in bringing about improvements in the compliance rates for arc flash PPE. Additionally, there is likely to be an increased need for creating an environment of electric safety, as countries such as China and India make investments to upgrade their road, railway, and highway networks. While in the past decades, there was less emphasis on equipping workers with arc flash PPE in emerging economies, there is likely to be a stronger focus on safety going forward. High-risk end-user industries are expected to invest more in providing employees with appropriate PPE and also educating them on its use to reduce the risk of arc flash injuries.

Executive Summary

CEO's Perspective

Arc Flash PPE—Market Overview

Arc PPE Market Overview—Definitions

Arc Flash PPE—Market Overview and Scope of Research

Arc Flash PPE—Market Overview

Market Trends

Arc Flash Market—Regional Dynamics

Arc Flash—Market Overview

Arc Flash PPE Market—Path to Innovation

Arc Flash PPE—Selection Criteria

Arc Flash PPE—Market Regulations

Overview of Regulations and Standards

Arc Flash PPE Market—Drivers and Restraints

Market Drivers

Drivers Explained

Market Restraints

Restraints Explained

Arc Flash—Occupational Injury and Illnesses

Arc Flash Injuries—Causes and Effects

Arc Flash—Occupational Injury and Illness Rates

Arc Flash PPE Categories

Growth Opportunities and Companies to Action

Transformation in the Arc Flash PPE System

Growth Opportunity 1—Development of New Standards

Growth Opportunity 2—Innovations in the Arc Flash PPE Segment

Growth Opportunity 3—Power Grid Infrastructure and Utility Upgrades

Strategic Imperatives for Success and Growth

Arc Flash PPE—Types of Protection

Arc Flash PPE Categories

Head and Face Protection Market

Head and Face Protection—Industry Hazards and Requirements

Eye Protection Market

Arc Flash Eye Protection—Industry Hazards and Requirements

Hearing Protection Market

Arc Flash Hearing Protection—Industry Hazards and

Protective Clothing Market

Arc Flash Protective Clothing—Industry Hazards and Requirements

Hand Protection Market

Arc Flash Hand Protection—Industry Hazards and Requirements

Foot Protection Market

Arc Flash Foot Protection—Industry Hazards and Requirements

The Last Word

The Last Word—Three Big Predictions

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